Attorney-General Robert McClelland today welcomed the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Report to Parliament 2010-11, which was tabled this afternoon.

Mr McClelland said the report provides Parliament and the community with an important insight into the largely unheralded work undertaken by ASIO every day.

“The report is a key element of ASIO’s accountability and it highlights the ongoing importance of ASIO’s role in protecting Australia’s national security and interests,” Mr McClelland said.

“Counter-terrorism continued to be a priority for ASIO in 2010-11, reflecting the persistent threat to Australia and Australian interests from violent extremism, particularly home-grown extremism.

“The number of ASIO counter-terrorism investigations and inquiries has grown consistently on a year-to-year basis - from just over 100 in 2004-05 to almost 300 in 2010-11.

“Without being alarmist, it is a simple fact that we face real and serious threats to our national security.

“ASIO - along with other security and intelligence agencies - works very hard to help to keep Australia safe.

“Last year, ASIO also undertook significant work to mitigate threats to Australia from espionage, including via cyber means.

“Complementing ASIO’s established suite of counter-espionage capabilities, a dedicated Cyber Espionage Branch was created to help Government and business respond to this increasing threat.”

ASIO reports, including threat assessments and analytical advice to Government and business, reached almost 3,000 during 2010-11. In addition, ASIO’s legal team contributed to more than 50 litigation matters.

ASIO’s Annual Report to Parliament is one component of the rigorous oversight and accountability checks in place that oversee the agency’s operations.

ASIO’s unclassified Report to Parliament 2010-11 is available at www.asio.gov.au